If the Bucs can get in that's a team no one would want to play. But I think the 1-3 start hurt them.

Their offense is top 3 on the league and doing it without 2 of the best interior offensive lineman in the league right now. That's pretty phenomenal, especially ranking 9th in the league in pass protection.

What I think hurts them though is the secondary. I don't know how they'll hold up against saints broncos and falcons down the stretch but if they go 5-2 on out which is possible, they can sneak in but then again tie breaks can hurt if they finish on par with Dallas or NYG. But hopefully the east beats each other out of a WC spot.

If the Bucs can get in that's a team no one would want to play. But I think the 1-3 start hurt them.

Their offense is top 3 on the league and doing it without 2 of the best interior offensive lineman in the league right now. That's pretty phenomenal, especially ranking 9th in the league in pass protection.

The Bucs have played an atrociously weak schedule. The Giants are probably the only playoff team they've faced, and they lost that game.

As a Bears fan, I would love to face the Bucs in the playoffs, especially in Chicago.

They were on pace to make the playoffs in like Week 5 or something. They aren't anymore and everyone knows they likely won't make the playoffs at this point.

Really? You're kidding right? They're 6-4 and currently in 7th place in the NFC. The season is barely halfway over. Anything can happen. Anyone could get hurt and anyone can go on a roll. It's not over by a longshot. Minnesota is in the thick of it just like the Buccaneers and the Seahawks are for that sixth seed.

They just beat Detroit...but i don't see the Vikings making the playoffs either. They're majorly slumping.

I think 4 teams are locks to make it in the NFC- Giants (even if they're slumping, nobody else is winning this division), Packers, Bears, Falcons. That leaves 2 spots for 3 teams- 49ers, Seahawks, Bucs.

SF has a tough 2nd half schedule with games against CHI, STL, NO, NE, and SEA. Thats 5 very tough games, along with games against MIA and AZ. The SF team looked shaky yesterday and their QB has a concussion, and i hope yesterday isn't the beginning of a slump.

Really? You're kidding right? They're 6-4 and currently in 7th place in the NFC. The season is barely halfway over. Anything can happen. Anyone could get hurt and anyone can go on a roll. It's not over by a longshot. Minnesota is in the thick of it just like the Buccaneers and the Seahawks are for that sixth seed.

The Vikings are a below average team that got off to an incredibly fast start. Whether they some how make the playoffs or not, which they won't, they are not a playoff caliber team.

Because they won't. Their schedule to finish the year is way too much for them to handle. But if by some crazy events they were to find their way in, it doesn't mean they belong with the rest of the playoff teams.

Because they won't. Their schedule to finish the year is way too much for them to handle. But if by some crazy events they were to find their way in, it doesn't mean they belong with the rest of the playoff teams.

I never buy this notion of "belong". I mean who is to say they belong or not? The fans? The media? You make the tournament then you belong. The Broncos weren't supposed to belong in the tournament last season and neither were the Seahawks the year before, yet the Steelers and Saints were the ones that were sent home packing early.

I never buy this notion of "belong". I mean who is to say they belong or not? You make the tournament then you belong. The Broncos weren't supposed to belong in the tournament last season and neither were the Seahawks the year before, yet the Steelers and Saints were the ones that were sent home packing early.

See, now you're just talking in circles with this argument for no reason. I really don't give a **** about any of that. The Vikings are not a good team. End of story. That's it.

You were trying to use the Bucs beating the Vikings as an example of a quality win. The Vikings are not that good, therefore it's not that impressive.

See, now you're just talking in circles with this argument for no reason. I really don't give a **** about any of that. The Vikings are not a good team. End of story. That's it.

You were trying to use the Bucs beating the Vikings as an example of a quality win. The Vikings are not that good, therefore it's not that impressive.

Okay. You obviously have a different opinion than I do. That's fine. Not sure about this "talking in circles" bit you've made up for yourself, but it doesn't matter. I've said my thoughts on the situation and still think Minnesota is in the thick of it. I was hoping you were going to address the "doesn't belong" theory you had instead of ignoring it when it was addressed, but don't worry about it. Peace out.

No, that's exactly it. I don't give a **** about what the Broncos or Seahawks did. The Vikings are not a good team if they make the playoffs, and they're not a good team if they don't. It really doesn't matter what your beliefs on belonging are.

The Steelers depends on how long Ben is out, but there's not really any other AFC teams to challenge them. Colts benefit from playing the Texans as their last game of the year, I predict Houston not playing many starters.

I have the Packers winning their division based on already being a game up on Chicago in the series, and Cutler's concussion costing them a game. Giants will be Giants and lose games they should win, and save their mojo for the Playoffs.

They were on pace to make the playoffs in like Week 5 or something. They aren't anymore and everyone knows they likely won't make the playoffs at this point.

I'm not trying to be a homer here but the Vikings beat the Niners who everyone agrees is a Super Bowl contender. Bucs went on the road on a very short weak and beat the living day lights out of them.

Bucs I think are a year away from serious contention but they're lighting teams up. They have a lot of young talent that is starting to come together. But I think the secondary has too many holes and inexperience to contain top qbs.

Really? You're kidding right? They're 6-4 and currently in 7th place in the NFC. The season is barely halfway over. Anything can happen. Anyone could get hurt and anyone can go on a roll. It's not over by a longshot. Minnesota is in the thick of it just like the Buccaneers and the Seahawks are for that sixth seed.

The problem is that the Vikings have to play Green Bay twice, Chicago twice, and Houston among their last six games. Assuming the St. Louis game is a win, that means they have to win 2 more out of those 5 in order to get to 9-7, which is the bare minimum to make the playoffs. With both Chicago and Green Bay fighting for every win, and Seattle winning the head-to-head tiebreaker, I don't see them making the playoffs this year.

I still think many teams are counting out the saints. They're playing very good football right now and are good enough to make a run. Still have Atlanta and Tampa bay in dome surfaces in Atlanta and at home vs TB.

That'll be the barometer. As well as a key game, if the Bucs have any plans on making a run. A win vs Atlanta not only makes a statement, it also would put them right in the thick of the NFC picture. Again though, the pass defense is not good at all, and that's a tough thing to overcome.

That game will come down to Bucs secondary vs Julio & Roddy as well as Muscle Hamster vs Falcons run D.

The problem is that the Vikings have to play Green Bay twice, Chicago twice, and Houston among their last six games. Assuming the St. Louis game is a win, that means they have to win 2 more out of those 5 in order to get to 9-7, which is the bare minimum to make the playoffs. With both Chicago and Green Bay fighting for every win, and Seattle winning the head-to-head tiebreaker, I don't see them making the playoffs this year.

Of course, the beauty of the NFL is Any Given Sunday.

Yeah I'm aware of their schedule. Weirder things have happened in the NFL, which is why at this point I'm not counting out any team in the thick of the playoffs race. That would be stupid.

Due to the QB's and schedules of the bolded teams, is why I can't count out Dallas, Detroit or New Orleans at this point. Sadly(but not surprisingly) that Seattle W vs Green Bay looks like it could be the deciding factor in making the playoffs. What a perfect way to end the season.

May not be accurate, but I feel like the three 5 loss teams are better then the three 4 loss teams.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Wright

I guarantee that if someone picks Cam Newton in the Top 5 they will regret it.

People STILL think Detroit doesn't suck? They haven't been good since the first 5 games of last season, and they sucked forever before that. They have 0 chance at making the playoffs, I'm willing to be quoted on that.

People STILL think Detroit doesn't suck? They haven't been good since the first 5 games of last season, and they sucked forever before that. They have 0 chance at making the playoffs, I'm willing to be quoted on that.

Saying they have 0% to make the playoffs literally means nothing. Because they have a great chance to make it, so just because you don't think it'll happen doesn't make that statement hold any weight. I'd rather put my money on them over Minny or Tampa in a 1 game scenario for the playoffs.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Wright

I guarantee that if someone picks Cam Newton in the Top 5 they will regret it.